| ID | #1632749822 |
| Added | Mon, 27/09/2021 |
| Author | July N. |
| Sources | The New York Times
|
| Phenomena | |
| Status | Research
|
Initial data
New York, New York, TIMES, January 9, 1948, page 11.
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, January 8. (AP) - Several areas of Kentucky and surrounding states were agitated today by reports of a "flying saucer" that led to the death of one National Guard pilot and fruitless harassment by several other pilots.
The National Guard headquarters in Louisville reported that Captain Thomas F. Mantell Jr., 25, was killed late last night while chasing a "flying saucer" near Franklin, Kentucky.
Two other members of the Kentucky National Guard asked for an investigation into reported "flying disks" in the area near Fort Knox, who returned to their base in Louisville.
Two Hopkinsville pilots, James Garrett and William Crenshaw, said they were chasing a flying object that they believed was a balloon.
Astronomers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, reported that yesterday afternoon they saw an object in the sky that they thought was a balloon, but the Weather Bureau in Nashville said that it does not know any balloons in the area.
Meanwhile, in Southern Ohio, observers reported seeing a flaming red cone near the Army Air Base in Wilmington. Representatives of the army said that they have no information about the object or about its origin.
Colonel Guy F. Hicks, the commander of Godman Field, adjacent to Fort Knox, said that he had been watching the "flying saucer"for some time. He said that three National Guard planes were contacted by radio and the pilots were asked to investigate.
"We lost contact after about twenty minutes," Colonel Hicks said. " Two planes later called back and reported no success."
Captain Mantell, an aerial hero during the Allied invasion of Normandy, was the third pilot. His mother, Mrs. Thomas F. Mantell Sr., said in Louisville that she was informed that her son flew too high in pursuit of an object and lost consciousness.
Glenn Mays, who lives near Franklin, said he saw Mantell's plane flying at an extremely high altitude shortly before it appeared to explode in midair.
"The plane made three turns, as if the pilot didn't know where it was going," Mr. Mays said, " and then began a dive from an altitude of about 20,000 feet. About halfway there was a terrible explosion."
Captain Mantell joined the Air Force shortly after graduating from high school and participated in the Invasion of Normandy and many other European operations during the war.
After retiring from active military service a year ago, he was associated with the Kentucky Air National Guard.
Original news
New York, New York, TIMES, 9 January 1948, page 11
FLIER DIES CHASING A 'FLYING SAUCER'
Plane Explodes Over Kentucky as That and Near States Report Strange Object
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 8 (AP) - Several areas of Kentucky and adjoining states were excited today over reports of a "flying saucer" which led to the death of one National Guard flier and fruitless chases by several other pilots.
The National Guard headquarters at Louisville said Capt. Thomas F. Mantell Jr., 25 years old, was killed late yesterday while chasing what was reported as a "flying saucer" near Franklin, Ky.
Two other members of the Kentucky National Guard asked to make a flying investigation of reported "flying discs" in the area near Fort Knox, returned to their Louisville base.
Two Hopkinsville pilots, James Garret and William Crenshaw, said they chased a flying object which they believed to be a balloon.
Astronomers at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., reported that they saw some object in the sky yesterday afternoon which they believed to be a balloon, but the Weather Bureau at Nashville said it knew of no balloons in that vicinity.
In Southern Ohio, meanwhile, observers reported seeing a flaming red cone near the Army Air Base at Wilmington. Army spokesmen said they had no information on the object or its origin.
Col. Guy F. Hix, commanding officer at Godman Field, adjoining Fort Knox, said he observed the "flying saucer" for some time. He said contact was made by radio with three National Guard planes and the pilots were asked to investigate.
"We lost contact in about twenty minutes," Colonel Hix said. "Two of the planes later called back and reported no success."
Captain Mantell, an air hero during the Allied invasion of Normandy, was the third pilot. His mother, Mrs. Thomas F. Mantell Sr., said in Louisville she was informed that her son flew too high in his pursuit of the object and lost consciousness.
Glenn Mayes, who lives near Franklin, said he saw the Mantell plane flying at an extremely high altitude just before it seemed to explode in the air.
"The plane circled three times, like the pilot didn't know where he was going," Mr. Mayes said, "and then started into a dive from about 20,000 feet. About halfway down there was a terrific explosion."
Captain Mantell entered the Army Air Forces soon after his graduation from high school and participated in the Normandy invasion and many other European operations during the war.
Since leaving active duty a year ago, he has been associated with the Kentucky Air National Guard.
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